Process for the manufacture of solid plastic material from casein



"have invented a new and useful the Manufacture of Solid Plastic Material Patented Apr. 17, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATaNr OFFICE.

FRANCIS GEORGE KARIES, OF KINGSTON-ON-TEAHES,

ENGLAN' D.

PMCBSS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SOLID PLASTIC MATERIAL FROM CASEIN.

Drawing. N

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I FRANCIS Gnonen MA- mns, subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Kingston-on-Thames England, Iirocess for from Casein; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable'others skilled in theart to which it appertains ton-lake and use the same.

This'invention relates to the manufacture of solid plastic materials from casein or milk curd.

In the process as usually employed the v casein is'made intov a paste by mixing the brou ht to the same with cold water, with the admixture of colouring matter if required, and then full boiling point (100 C.)

.and the boiling point from five to ept at ten minutes the mixture being strained at ucts, consisting of the a the same time until the material reaches a pulpy state when it is subjected to a pressure of at least five kilograms per square centimetre in previously heated moulds and then immersed in formalin for a lengthy period such as three, four or more days.

According to a further known process curdled or coa lated milk or casein is placed in a bat consisting of water with an addition of glycerine to prevenftoo rapid subsequent dryin The wholeis then heated to about 90 elsius so as to. form a paste to which the desired colouring matter may be added. After completely drying the material and shaping the same into articles desired the same are immersed in a bath conslsting of acetic acid and formic aldehyde in a watery 40% solution.

When it is desired to roduce the prodove material, by

means of compression or moulding the latter operation is effected in moulds heated to out 140 to'l50 Celsius after which the articles are sometimes immersed in a bath of care is taken the process has a fatty acids, aldehyde and spirits of turpentine so as to render the'same insoluble.

Y The material thus produced according to both the above processes is however of a very brittle nature and unless very great tendency to spoil the brilliancy of the colours by overheating. I

It is therefore the object of thepresent invention to overcome both of these defects by form of aniline dye or Application filed Dctober 31, 1921. Serial No. 511,778.

the provision of an improved process of manufacture whereb the resultant material is pliable and the orlginal brightness of the colouring matter is retained.

The invention consists broadly of a process according to which the casein is firstly soaked in a solution containing glycerine,

the two being then heated to not more than 17 5 F., secondly :-sub]ec,ted.to pressure in moulds without heat and thirdly :-soaked in a. solution composedv of formaldehyde,

glycerine, calcium chloride, acetone and water.

in carrying the above process into effecta predetermined quantity of casein is soaked for twelve hours in one-eighth (t) of its weight of glycerine mixed withfour times the caseins weight of water. These ingredients are then heated together in a jacketed pan at a temperature of not more than 17 5 F. until a tough india-rubber like mass is obtained. The colouring matter, in the dry colours mixed with water; is put 1n with the material in the jacketed pan just before the particles 'of casein begin to adhere together.

If a mixture of two or more colours is required, the material containing each particbinedv andpulled together until sufliciently.

incorporated. Veined eifects may be obtained by the use of metallic powders mixed with suitable colours.

The resultant coloured or other mass is then subjected to pressure in moulds for about one and a half hours but without heat. The use of pressure without heat is one of the essential features of the process according to this invention and must never be departed from. v

. This subjection to pressure is efi'ected in two operations, the first operation having as its object to express the remaining water from the material and the second operation to mould such previousllynpressed material into the shape and thic ess desired such for example as sheets, tubes or bars. r

The moulded articles are then allowed to dry naturally i. e. without the use of artificial. means such asheat the period being from three to four days, after which the articles are again soaked in a posed rifl -formaldehyde, glycerine, calci- 'ular colour is prepared in separate 1acksolution comformed I declare 3 parts by wei cutting by sawing,

um chloride, acetone, water in the approximate proportions 2- '30 parts by *weight of formaldehyde parts by following wei ht of gl cerine,

it of caldium chloride,

1 part by weig t of acetone,

45' parts b weight of water.

The artic es are allowed to soak in the above solution for from 1 to 4 days according to thickness, when they are taken out, drained, and dried naturally by air with occasional subjection to pressure to preserve the desired shape.

This natural drying is carried out over a period .of from two to six months after which the articles or material is ready for turning, drilling or other machining operations for the production of buttons, combs. knife handles. insulators for electric current and other articles.

I wish it to be understood that the proportions'of the ingredients of the above mentioned solutions are only approximate as such proportions aredetermined to a certain extent by the nature of the finished article certained or articles. If desired the acetone may be omitted as not being essential to success but it is advisable to retain the same as by its employment better results are obtainable.

Having now particularly described and as; the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be perthat what I claim is 1. A process for the manufacture of solid plastic according to which the casein is firstly soaked in a solution containing glycerine, the two being then heated to not more than 175 F., secondly subjected to pressure without heat and thirdly soaked in a solution material from casein or milk curd eted pans to a temperature 'not exceeding 175 F., then subjected to pressure without heat and finally soaked for from one to four days in a solution composed of 30 parts by weight of formaldehyde (40%), to 10 parts by weight of glycerine, 3 parts by weight of calcium chloride, 1 part by weight of acetone, and 45 parts by weight of water.

3. The process of manufacturing solid plastic 7 consisting firstly in soaking the casein in a solution containing glycerine, then heating the solution with the casein therein to dry the same then subjecting the mixture to pressure to shape the same, and then soaking the pressed mixture to a solution composed of formaldehyde, glycerine, calcium chloride, water, and acetone.

41. The process of manufacturing solid plastic material from casein or milk curd consisting first in soaking the casein in a material from casein or milk curd solution containing glycerine, then drying GEORGE MARIES.

resence of two witnesses. 

